Management of necrotising fasciitis secondary to abdominal liposuction using a combination of surgery, hyperbaric oxygen and negative pressure wound therapy in a patient with burn scars

Abstract

Liposuction is the one of the most frequently performed cosmetic operations and usually has an easy recovery, with a reportedly low overall complication rate. Here, we report the case of a 60-year-old woman with type II diabetes mellitus and a previous burn injury of the abdomen who underwent abdominal liposuction and subsequently developed necrotising fasciitis. Following radical debridement, systemic antibiotic administration, negative pressure wound therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy, the wound healed completely. This case demonstrates the success of the combination treatment and highlights the need for clinicians to be aware of the risk of serious complications in selected patients.

Keywords: Burn scar; Hyperbaric oxygen; Liposuction; Necrotising fasciitis; Negative pressure wound therapy.